"Don't Go Near the Water" (unless it is clean!)

There was a funny movie during the 50' Don't Go Near the Water starring Glenn Ford, which doesn't have anything to do with this blog other than the title.
I just got back from a seminar in Arlington, TX where I spent two days learning about pools and spas and the chemicals needed to properly maintain these proliferating sources of income for the business that I manage.
Although I have been in the Pool business for over 16 years professionally as well as a couple of summers in between semesters in college, I have never really had the biochemistry instruction to really appreciate the science involved in keeping swimming pools clean and clear.
Like most people in my industry I occasionally have fallen victim to the same belief that homeowners experience....."if it looks clear, it is probably safe".......No, no, no.
Now I am a big proponent of the swimming pool and spa. Geez, it's how I make my living. Pools and Spas are a great source for relaxation, fun and enjoyment. BUT YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM!! Let me give you a couple of facts I learned last week.
Four people in a spa or hot tub is the equivalent of 120 people in a pool. There are over a 1000 diseases that can exist in a pool or spa. If it looks clear it does not mean it is safe.
E. coli, Giardia, Salmonellosis, Legionnaire's disease, diarrhea, ear infections, are only a few of the many diseases and illnesses that can originate from that breeding ground in your backyard.
RWI's (Recreational Water Illnesses) can occur from swimming in pools, spas, lakes, the ocean you name it.
Here are a few Q and A's you might be interested in reading:

What kinds of illnesses can people get from swimming?

Diarrheal illness
Skin rashes
Ear infections
Eye infections
Respiratory infections


Can people get a recreational water illness (RWI) from swimming in the ocean?

Yes.
Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) have been associated with swimming at ocean beaches. Some common germs can live for long periods of time in salt water. Swimmers should always avoid swallowing the water that they and others swim in.

Can people get a recreational water illness (RWI) from swimming in fresh water lakes and rivers?

Yes.
Lakes and rivers can become contaminated with germs from sewage, animal waste, water runoff, as well as direct human contamination from fecal accidents and germs rinsed off the bottoms of swimmers. Avoid swimming in areas that have been identified as unsafe by health departments. Contact your state/local health department about germ-testing results for local recreational water.

Can people get a recreational water illness (RWI) from using hot tubs and spas?

Yes.
Skin infections are the most common RWI spread through hot tubs and spas. Given that hot tubs and spas have warmer water than pools, chlorine or other disinfectant levels evaporate faster. For that reason, it is important that chlorine or disinfectant levels in hot tubs and spas are checked even more regularly than in swimming pools.


I don't want to discourage anyone from buying or using your pool or spa but just keep in mind that it is important you KEEP IT SAFE. And, of course, it you need a professional, you can always call me.

So, now that I have given my one public service announcement for the year I can get back to rat-killing, er... blogging.

See ya soon.

Confusion over hiatus

Not to be confused with "Moon over Miami" (great movie BTW with Don Ameche and Betty Grable) but the confusion over my "Hiatus" blog obviously needs a little bit more tweeking.
The person who promised to love, honor and have me carry her bags, and I just returned from a beautiful trip around the world.
We had a chance to see and visit such great places including Mayan temples in South America and rain forests in Borneo. Although, I considered myself to be in pretty good shape, I must admit that I did tire a little easily after making that trek up all of those teeny, tiny steps.
It was beautiful and we were able to purchase little stone souvenirs for all of our friends. Trouble was the weight exceeded our limits so we had to leave them behind.
Next on our world-wide tour was a trip to the South Pole. As you can see in the picture I have grayed a little bit during the past year. I had a chance to plant a flag at the furthest southern point of the earth (all part of the package deal which included Mai Tai's with umbrellas, although we ordered the non-alcoholic version).


From the South Pole, we took an excrutiating flight to Australia. Here we had a chance to play with some Koala bears and feed the kangaroos. For $10.00 you could get in the ring and box one of these lively fellows.

Needless to say, I took up the offer and actually did quite well.
The little "buggers" do offer quite a scrap though and I had to give up a visit to the Great Barrier Reef to nurse a black eye that I received when the marsupial snuck one in on me when I wasn't looking.
We decided to take a trip "Outback" and we ate lunch with a couple of Aborigine's. We dined on fried alligator, I thought it tasted quite like chicken and Pattye spent the night playing the digereedoo. Her years of playing the piano came in quite handy allowing her to master the instrument in record time.
Next on the trip was a walk down the "Great Wall of China".


The entire wall or rather the walkway was covered with a blanket of snow and those little fellows would get out each morning with their little hand-made brooms and sweep the walkway from one end to another. We dined on some roasted meat that we were not able to fully understand the Chinese translation let alone read the menu. It tasted like chicken to me. I did get a French name for it though in case anyone has the time to look it up. In French they call it chien.
Well, seeing that I have drug you this far into our vacation. I guess I am getting probably as bored as you are and I guess it is time to say goodbye at least for now. I'll probably post some pictures later on so you can see where I stopped and talked with the Pope in Italy and actually had a visit with Queen Mum over in England.
I did have a chance to meet a fellow American along the way. His name was Walter Mitty and he sends his regards to those who can remember him.

Au revoir for now!!

Oh yeah, I hope this explains my blog about the Hiatus and how I left some of you confused. Anyway, I (we) are back now and I will continue to keep blogging and I hope you enjoy my misguided trip through life!